Mormon church president Russell M. Nelson to visit Arizona

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President Russell M. Nelson will speak at State Farm Stadium on February 10.

He is the 17th president of the church that has more than 16 million members worldwide.

The church has strong roots in Arizona going back more than a century.

State Farm Stadium in Glendale.(Photo: Michael Chow/The Republic)

The president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will visit Arizona in February.

President Russell M. Nelson will give an evening devotional at 6 p.m. Feb. 10 at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale. Tickets are available through church leaders. Select meetinghouses will broadcast the event.

Nelson has previously led devotionals in San Antonio and Seattle.

His wife, Wendy Watson Nelson, and first counselor Dallin H. Oaks and his wife, Kristen M. Oaks, will also attend.

Nelson and Oaks make up the church's first presidency, along with second counselor Henry B. Eyring.

Who is Russell M. Nelson?

President Russell M. Nelson(Photo: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

Nelson became the 17th president and prophet of the church in 2018 at the age of 93. The church has more than 16 million members worldwide and 428,000church members in Arizona.

He is a renowned surgeon and medical researcher.

He enjoys everyday activities like gardening. But he's also an avid skier known to still do runs down black diamonds.

He and his late wife, Dantzel White, have 10 children, 57 grandchildren and more than 100 great-grandchildren. White died in 2005. He married Watson in 2006.

The church in Arizona

This is not the first time the leader of the church has visited the Valley, but a public event at a venue of this size is rare.

"Prophets are constantly visiting different areas of the world to teach and uplift members or to perform various duties, like temple dedications," Jennifer Wheeler, media specialist said.

The church and its members have played a significant role in Arizona's history — and present.

A group of Arizonans are leading a campaign to create a monument to recognize the mass migration of church members who came from Utah to Arizona more than a century ago. They hope it will be a tribute to those who helped with the growth of the state.

During the Christmas season, Gilbert was a location for one of five giving machines in the world. The church created the machines as an easy way for people to give back to local and national charities.